ABTA advises think twice

ABTA – The Travel Association is strongly advising holidaymakers and other travellers to think twice before hiring mopeds whilst overseas, and to only ride quad bikes as part of an organised excursion.  Every year many people have dangerous accidents while on holiday after driving quad bikes on the road and hiring mopeds – causing serious injuries and some accidents have been fatal.

ABTA Members reported 36 quad bike accidents and seven moped accidents in 2017. So far in 2018, seven people have been involved in quad bike accidents on the road. These figures represent just those cases reported by ABTA Members – and ABTA believes the total number of accidents to be much higher.

New figures from ABTA reveal as many as 4.5 million Britons have hired a moped or quad bike whilst overseas – the equivalent of one in ten British holidaymakers. Younger adults are most likely to put themselves at risk - one in seven (16%) British 18-24 year olds who have taken an overseas holiday in the last 12 months said they had hired either a quad bike or a moped.

In recent years, quad bikes have become increasingly popular, particularly in places like Greece, Cape Verde & Turkey. Hiring mopeds has also become common among British travellers in countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. Whether in Europe or further afield, these vehicles give little protection in an accident, and riders are particularly vulnerable on the open roads.

ABTA is advising anyone travelling abroad that there are always safer alternatives to hiring mopeds and quad bikes, including hiring a car, taking a taxi or using public transport, and to only ride quad bikes as part of an organised excursion. It is also reminding holidaymakers of the limitations and exclusions of standard travel insurance policies – many of which will not cover accidents from quad bikes and mopeds, leaving seriously injured holidaymakers facing unaffordable medical bills.


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ABTA warns of quad bike dangers

‘One snap decision completely transformed my life. I could have lost the use of my legs … or worse, my life.’

UK HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) of the risks of hiring #quadbikes when abroad this summer.

There have been five incidents in #Greece since June involving holidaymakers and quad bikes, including most recently an 18-year-old who suffered a fractured skull and lost his sight in one eye in a quad bike accident.

Increasingly, holidaymakers are hiring quad bikes as a means to get around, often on main roads and in resorts, many without any training, road experience or proper protection. If they have an accident, injuries are often much more serious or life- threatening for people who have chosen not to wear a helmet, even when required by local laws to do so.

Quad bikes not typically covered by travel insurance. Many standard insurance policies specifically exclude cover for quad bike use, whether as a driver or passenger. This means that in the case of an accident, holidaymakers will be liable for substantial medical bills, especially if they require the use of an air ambulance to get them back to the UK.

Many tour operators offer the opportunity for customers to book organized off-road bike excursions with agencies that follow health and safety guidelines.

32-year-old Melanie Simmonds suffered serious injuries in a quad bike accident while on holiday in Greece in 2010. After a series of operations, it took 14 months for Melanie to recover from her injuries.

‘The reason that we hired the quad bike was to save money on taxis as I was diving,’ says Ms Simmonds. ‘One snap decision completely transformed my life. I could have lost the use of my legs … or worse, my life. I think if I hadn’t been wearing my camera on my back, I probably would have.

‘My advice to holidaymakers is be aware that quad bikes are heavy and dangerous. They are difficult to control and not very safe to use on roads. One big thing that I’ve also learnt is that you must always know what your insurance covers you for. As it turned out, I wasn’t covered for quad bikes because I never expected to be using one.’

Nikki White, director of Destinations and Sustainability at ABTA, comment: ‘Quad biking can be a fun and memorable holiday experience as part of an off-road excursion with a reputable company. But it can also be extremely high risk to hire a quad bike as a means of transport to get around resorts and to use on main roads. They might look easy and fun to drive, but the reality is they are powerful vehicles that demand driving expertise and proper protection to be used safely.’

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ABTA urges families to Swim Safe this summer

AS FAMILIES get ready to head away for their summer holidays, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is urging them to Swim Safe.

According to statistics published by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, 30 children under ten years old have drowned in holiday swimming pools abroad over a six-year period, with more than half of these victims under four years old. Last year, ABTA was made aware of 19 fatal drownings abroad of UK holidaymakers, 7 in swimming pools and 12 in the sea.

Families are urged to take care and always follow pool and beach rules and signs, check the pool lay-out to know where the deep and shallow ends are, and never leave children unsupervised. 

ABTA’s top tips for swimming safety:

• Brush up on your swimming skills before you go away 
• If you’ve got kids, get in the water with them 
• Always follow pool rules and local signs 
• Check the pool layout 
• Check warning flags and signage on the beach 
• Beware of dangerous currents 
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth 
• Don’t dive or jump from rocks, piers, breakwaters, or poolside furniture
• Never swim alone; buddy up’ with others in your party 
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol 
• Know how and where to get help if you see someone in difficulty 

Even if you swim regularly in a pool, remember that open water can be very different; cold water reduces significantly the distance that you can swim, even for strong swimmers

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The idiot’s guide to staying alive

BRITISH holidaymakers heading out to hotels around the Med have been given some advice by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA): don’t get drunk and fall off balconies. 

Sadly, the advice is needed: tour operators say that three British nationals had died and three more were seriously injured after falling or jumping from balconies while on holiday overseas last year. This represents just a fraction of the total number of such incidents. So far in 2016, says the FCO, there have been three balcony falls resulting in serious injury. One of them involved a 34-year-old British holidaymaker who jumped from his hotel balcony into the swimming pool. He is in a critical condition after suffering a serious spinal cord injury.

Many balcony falls involve young people and alcohol. For the last five years, ABTA and the FCO have run campaigns warning of the dangers as well as providing advice and tips on staying safe, including in hotels popular with younger travellers.

Nikki White, ABTA’s director of Destinations and Sustainability, said: ‘As we head into the peak summer season, we are again urging holidaymakers to think about the potential risks of balconies. We see too many people badly injured or much worse because they’ve tried to climb over, jump, or dive from their hotel balcony. A moment of thoughtlessness can have a devastating impact, not just on the holidaymaker themselves, but also on their family and friends. By working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, ABTA Members and local authorities in resorts, we hope to help holidaymakers use their balconies sensibly and safely, as do millions of hotel guests around the world.’

Will Middleton, FCO consular director for Southern Europe, said: ‘We have already seen a number of very serious injuries caused by balcony falls this summer. We really do urge people to avoid taking risks around balconies, particularly if they have been drinking. A momentary lapse of judgement can lead to a lifetime of consequences.’

ABTA and the FCO have put together the following tips on using balconies safely:

Never lean over, sit, or climb on the balcony wall or railings.

Don’t try to pass items to someone on another balcony.

Don’t climb from one balcony to another.

Never stand on balcony furniture.

Never jump into the pool from your balcony.

Take extra care on balconies after drinking alcohol as your judgement may be affected.

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ABTA urges industry to embrace sustainability

TRAVEL companies and hotels are being urged by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) to take part in ‘Make Holidays Greener’ month in July. More than 40 hotels and #travel businesses have already signed up to raise awareness of sustainable holidays, and of the importance of keeping beaches clean. 

Throughout the summer, the campaign will encourage holidaymakers to take care of the local #environment and support local communities in holiday destinations.

Nikki White from ABTA and Travelife said: ‘Cleaner, greener beaches are good for tourism and our industry is uniquely placed to make a difference to coastal regions and beaches globally. We are encouraging as many travel businesses as possible to sign up and support Make Holidays Greener month and do their bit to keep beaches clean.

‘We’re delighted with the response we’ve had so far, but we’re really keen for more hotels and travel companies to get involved – it’s a great way to show their customers and staff that they really care about their environment. Cleaner beaches are good for wildlife, for people, and for business, so it’s important that holidaymakers and the industry work together to take care of destinations and protect the marine environment.’

Companies not based near a beach can organize a different type of event, such as a park or mountain clean-up. The campaign website – makeholidaysgreener.org.uk – has a range of free resources, including advice on how to organize a beach clean.

Last year, 108 beach cleans were organized worldwide, involving 68 organizations and more than 1,000 people in 20 countries.

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ABTA to reboot ‘Travel with Confidence’ campaign

THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS (ABTA) has launched the second phase of its ‘Travel with confidence’ nationwide advertising campaign, Running until the end of July, it will specifically target 18-24 year-old holidaymakers, the consumer group most likely to be late bookers.

The campaign will promote ABTA’s ‘Travel with confidence’ message, and highlight why customers should ‘Look for the logo’ and book with an ABTA member as they navigate the late holiday booking period.

The first phase of ABTA’s ‘Travel with confidence’ campaign ran earlier in the year and was specifically aimed at families and older travellers who are more likely to book holidays further in advance.

Victoria Bacon, ABTA head of Brand and Business Development, said: ‘Our travel with confidence message underpins everything we and ABTA members do for customers and is particularly important at the moment, given uncertainties around issues such as geo-politics, global terrorism, and online holiday fraud.

‘We know from our own research that one in five 18-24 year olds are planning to go on a summer holiday, but haven’t yet booked it. This phase of our campaign will help us to engage with these younger travellers, encouraging them to book with an ABTA member and helping them to get the holiday they’ve paid for.’

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‘Period of uncertainty ahead’: UK travel industry reacts to Brexit vote

THE UK travel trade’s two main industry bodies – the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and UKinbound – have warned of turbulent times ahead following the country’s decision to #leave the European Union.

In the immediate aftermath of the #referendum vote, UKinbound CEO Deirdre Wells warned of ‘far-reaching consequences’ for its 370 business members.

‘UKinbound feels the decision to leave the #EU is disappointing,’ she said. ‘However, we have proved time and again that we are a resilient industry and the government must now work hard to secure a deal which supports our vibrant industry, which relies on the European Union for two-thirds of its business. The priority must now be to ensure that our members have the best possible environment in which to grow their business and to support them in welcoming visitors from all corners of the globe.’

ABTA said while the UK trade was entering a ‘period of uncertainty’, in regulatory terms there will not be any immediate changes.

‘Once the UK formally notifies the EU of its intention to leave, the remaining member states will have up to two years to offer the UK a deal for a future trading relationship. This period can also be extended if all parties agree. Until this process is resolved, everything will remain as it is now.’

ABTA reiterated that its role was to help keep the industry informed, to help the public to remain confident in travelling, and to help the government to understand and prioritize those matters that are important to ‘our members and our industry’.

‘ABTA will be working proactively with the government to raise awareness of the priorities for travel businesses, and UK travellers, as they negotiate a future trading relationship. We started this process some months ago, with a programme of engagement with ‘leave’ campaigners in Westminster, and we have prepared a detailed list of policy and regulatory priorities that we will be discussing with leading policymakers in the coming weeks. It will also be important to ensure that the industry’s domestic agenda is not neglected, and ABTA will continue to press for action on airport capacity, ATOL reform, which remains relevant whatever the future of the EU’s Package Travel Directive, and Air Passenger Duty.’

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UK travel agents query FCO warnings plan; Tui challenged by terror victims’ families

CONCERNS about Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) plans to introduce a new category of travel advice highlighting the risks of terrorism or crime in destinations not currently subject to warnings have been raised by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

The FCO will announce the results of a review of its advice to travellers this autumn, following a consultation with industry and consumer groups which ended in April. ABTA fears a change will confuse consumers.

Joanne Roper, FCO director of consular services, told a recent ABTA seminar: ‘We aim to differentiate the types of risk more closely, maybe with a fourth level [of advice] that it is generally safe to travel, but be aware that the risks of crime or the terrorist threat are higher than at home.’

The FCO currently rates the safety of areas on three levels. These are shown on country maps on its website in green (safe but consult the advice), amber (advise against all but essential travel) or red (advise against all travel). Most popular destinations, apart from Tunisia, are presently shown in green.

The new tier would sit between green and amber.

Nikki White, ABTA’s head of destinations and sustainability, said: ‘The existing system is well recognized and works well. What will “You’re able to travel, but there is a heightened risk” relate to? We’ve been given no examples. Where will it leave consumers? It’s quite clear now when advice changes from green to amber. We foresee increased confusion. And what will be the impact on a destination if advice changes after people book and they think “Do I want to go?” ’

The review comes as families of 16 of the 30 British holidaymakers murdered in the beach massacre in Sousse last June questioned the role of Tui and other companies in marketing holidays to Tunisia.

Legal papers submitted on behalf of the families to an inquest into the deaths accuse Tui of ignoring security warnings, ‘enticing’ holidaymakers with cheap offers, and deterring people from cancelling by refusing refunds. They also suggest that updated FCO advice was not mentioned on Tui’s website, in its brochures, or on booking forms. The victims’ families claim Tui offered 40% discounts on Sousse holidays, despite concerns following the terrorist attack at a museum in Tunis in March last year.

At a pre-inquest hearing at the High Court, Tui’s lawyers said the company did not accept claims about its pricing policy or that it was obliged to carry FCO advice on its site.

The full inquest is not expected to begin until January.

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ABTA advice for Euro 2016 fans

THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS (ABTA) is encouraging the hundreds of thousands of English, Welsh, and Northern Irish fans travelling to France to make the most of their time there, as they prepare to head over or under the tunnel for #Euro2016 which kicks off in Paris on Friday 10 June.

ABTA is also urging fans looking for last-minute match tickets to buy from official sources only, and to ensure they have accommodation booked in advance.

Victoria Bacon, ABTA director of Brand and Business Development, said: ‘Euro2016 will offer an ideal opportunity for football fans from around the UK to experience the amazing food and culture on offer in some of France’s most interesting and beautiful cities.

‘As excitement builds in the lead up to kick off next week, many fans who haven’t booked yet might be tempted to head off, but with accommodation at a premium and people jostling for hotel rooms, they must ensure they have somewhere to stay before they leave Britain.’

ABTA advises fans travelling to France to read the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/be-on-the-ball-for-euro-2016

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Check your passports, ABTA urges

THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS (ABTA) is advising holidaymakers to check that their #passports have sufficient validity, ahead of the peak #holiday season when up to 26 million UK holidaymakers are expected to #travel overseas. 

Many countries outside the European Union require six months’ validity on passports from the date of the return to the UK, so it is vital to take this into account when checking passport expiry dates.

Up to one-in-10 passport holders needs to renew their passport each year, with the peak processing period being the run-up to the summer months. Members of the public do not have to wait for their passports to expire before renewing them, as up to nine months unused validity will be added onto their replacement passport.

Renewing early means that travellers can take advantage of the standard rate for passport renewal. The standard charge to renew an adult passport is £72.50, but this rises to £103 for the one-week fast track service and £128 for the one-day premium service.

ABTA CEO Mark Tanzer said: ‘Every year we see holidaymakers having to renew their passport in a rush, having realized just before they are due to travel that it is out-of-date or does not have enough validity for the country they are visiting. HM Passport Office does an excellent job each year, efficiently issuing millions of passports to UK citizens, but we would strongly advise that holidaymakers check their passports now and renew them at the earliest opportunity, in order to guarantee the lowest, standard rate.’

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Travel fraud cost UK holidaymakers £11.5 million in 2015

THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS (ABTA), the City of London Police, and Get Safe Online have joined forces to warn consumers about the dangers posed by holiday booking fraud. #Scams are more frequent due to the rise of online bookings 

Findings in a report by the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau reveal the scale of reported crime and expose tactics used by fraudsters who stole £11.5 million from holidaymakers and other travellers in 2015.

According to the report, there has been a rise of 425% in the amount reported lost to travel fraudsters – up to £11.5 million in 2015 from £2.2 million in 2014 – although part of the increase is likely to be due to crime previously going unreported.

The most common fraud type relates to the sale of airline tickets, but there has also been a large increase in the number of owner accounts being hacked into on popular sharing accommodation websites.

Losses for individuals can be substantial, with the average loss being almost £3,000. Almost half of victims (44%) said the fraud had also had a significant adverse impact on their health.

There are distinct spikes of reported fraud in the summer months and in December, indicating fraudsters are targeting holidaymakers and people booking last-minute flights home for Christmas. The majority of those who are defrauded pay by methods such as bank transfer or cash with no means of getting their money back.

The most common types are:

Holiday accommodation – Fraudsters are making full use of the internet to con holidaymakers by setting up fake websites, hacking into legitimate accounts and posting fake adverts on websites and social media.

Airline tickets – where a customer believes they are booking a flight and receives a fake ticket or pays for a ticket that never turns up. In 2015, flights to Nigeria, India, and Pakistan were particularly targeted.

Sports and religious trips – a popular target for fraud due to limited availability of tickets and consequently higher prices. It is anticipated that in 2016, both the European Football Championships in France and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will attract fraudsters.

Timeshares and holiday clubs – The sums involved with this form of fraud are particularly high, with victims losing between £9,000 and £35,000 each.

The City of London Police, ABTA, and Get Safe Online have published advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of holiday booking fraud – and on how victims should go about reporting it. This advice includes:

Stay safe online:  Check that the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to a domain name – such as going from .co.uk to .org

Do your research: Don’t rely on one review – do a thorough online search to check the company’s credentials. If a company is defrauding people there is a good chance that consumers will post details of their experiences, and warnings about the company.

Look for the logo: Check whether the company is a member of a recognized trade body such as ABTA. If you have any doubts, you can verify membership of ABTA online, at www.abta.com.

Pay safe: Never pay directly into an owner’s bank account. Paying by direct bank transfer is like paying by cash – the money is very difficult to trace and is not refundable. Wherever possible, pay by credit card (or a debit card that offers protection).

Check paperwork: Study receipts, invoices, and terms and conditions, and be very wary of any companies that don’t provide any at all. When booking through a holiday club or timeshare, get the contract vetted by a solicitor before signing up.

Use your instincts: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Report it: Victims should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or register via www.actionfraud.police.uk.


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Beware fake travel websites, says ABTA

A WARNING about fake travel company websites has been issued by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), following an increase in reports of fraudulent sites.

The association has compiled a list of warning signs that suggest that the site might not be legitimate. These are:

• Prices that are considerably lower than competitors 
• Fuzzy logos for trade associations and credit card companies 
• Non-receipt of tickets 
• Bank transfer the only payment option 

ABTA urges users to research companies online before making a booking.

John de Vial, the association’s head of financial protection, said: ‘Our consumer helpline has seen an increase in calls from members of the public who are either checking the validity of a suspicious website or, worse, have already paid by bank transfer and then been fobbed off when trying to get hold of their tickets. We want to make consumers aware of this problem and stop them from being ripped off in this way.’

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UK outbound travel worth £28.3 billion annually

THE outbound travel sector is worth £28.3 billion a year to the UK economy, says the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).  

Its study, carried out by the Centre for Economics Business Research, found that this figure was equivalent to 1.8% of the UK’s gross domestic product. Outbound travel supports 214,000 jobs directly and 435,000 in the wider economy. This represents a greater UK employment contribution than the country’s postal and courier industries, and those involved in the manufacture of food products and electrical equipment.

The report says that holidaymakers spend in excess of £34 billion in the UK before they go abroad, highlighting the economic contribution outbound tourism makes to the UK economy.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive said: ‘Outbound travel is a key part of the UK’s vibrant tourism mix and has enormous potential for growth. MPs and the government must ensure that we have in place the right policy and tax framework to allow the UK’s tourism mix to reach its full potential in the years ahead.’

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Being 'green' is paying off, claims ABTA study

TRAVEL companies with a good environmental record are increasingly gaining a commercial advantage, according to a study by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

Almost a third of consumers (29%) would be likely to choose one company over another based on their environmental record, up from one in five (19%) in 2011.

There is growing sentiment amongst consumers that it is the travel company's responsibility to be environmentally responsible. The majority (62%) believe that travel companies should ensure that their holidays help the environment, with only 5% disagreeing. One in four consumers believe that holidays should have an environmental and social rating.

ABTA’s head of destinations and sustainability, Nikki White, said: ‘This research shows that there is a growing appetite for holidays that are provided responsibly. The fact that younger consumers, aged 25-34, are the most likely to value companies with a good environmental record suggests that we will see demand for environmental credentials further increase in the future. 

‘The public are also very clear in their views that they see it as the industry’s job to take responsibility for this, and that there should also be certification systems in place such as ABTA’s Travelife scheme to ensure they can quickly and easily identify companies that are taking greater steps in sustainability.’

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UK pensioners planning holiday spending sprees

Surveys show that pensioners 'consider’ holidays as UK pension pots are liberated 

ABTA:

MORE than a third of 55-75-year-olds thinking of dipping into their pension pot would consider spending some of it on a holiday or travel, according to research by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

The findings come amid reports that travel companies are gearing up for over-55s to spend thousands of pounds from their retirement pots on multi-generational cruises and long haul flights as billions of pounds of money tied up is made available under changes to pension regulations affective from April 6.

One in five of those eligible would consider taking cash out of their pension, and a further 15% were undecided, the ABTA poll found.

Taking a holiday was the most popular option for a spending spree, followed by home improvements and paying off existing debts.

Europe was the most popular destination for those planning to spend some money on a holiday, followed by North America, Australasia, Asia, Africa, and South America. 

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines:

UK pensioners are planning holiday spending sprees with more than three quarters of older people in Britain plan to spend up to £10,000 each on a travel experience thanks to windfalls coming from relaxed pension rules, a study by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines shows. A further 20% are prepared to spend up to £20,000 per person.

It is estimated that about 18 million people aged over 55 will have gain access to up to 25% of their pension – tax-free – for the first time from this month (April). A further 320,000 people will become eligible every year.

As much as £6 billion could be spent within the first three months after April, with the main discretionary spend predicted to be on holidays.

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Concerns raised over mandatory fingerprinting for India visas

A COMPLAINT about requirements for British travellers to India to appear at an application centre to be fingerprinted to obtain visas has been raised by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

The association fears the biometric testing is an extra hurdle that will deter potential visitors.

Visa applicants will first have to book on-line individual appointments at one of 14 centres on-line from March 14. 

The extra centres will be in cities including Cardiff, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, and Belfast.

The Indian High Commission in London says: ‘Biometric data collection, including fingerprint data and facial imagery, will be a mandatory requirement for all visa applicants soon. 

As a result, all visa applicants will need to first apply online and, thereafter, be physically present (mandatorily) at India Visa and Consular Services centres, by appointment, for submission of visa application and biometric data enrolment.’

ABTA is making an official complaint over the changes. ‘We are writing to the Indian High Commission expressing our concern about the short notice given concerning this change to visa requirements, requesting that they either reconsider or delay its introduction,’ says its head of Destinations and Sustainability, Nikki White.

‘We are also expressing our concerns about the requirement for individual family members to book separate appointments which could cause considerable unnecessary inconvenience and have the unintended consequence of discouraging travel to India. In recent months, due to a combination of circumstances – not least the publicity over several rape incidents – the country has become a difficult destination to sell. This latest move will only exacerbate the situation."

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UK government confirms APD devolution to Scotland

THE BRITISH government has confirmed that Air Passenger Duty (APD) will be devolved to Scotland, prompting speculation that the tax will be reduced or even abolished north of the border. But the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and the Airport Operators Association have asked for consistency across the UK.

ABTA’s chief executive Mark Tanzer warned that a different APD rate, or abolition, in Scotland it could hinder airports in the north of England where passengers would still have to pay the charge.

‘Future reductions in APD planned by the Scottish government will be good news for passengers flying from Scotland and for Scottish airports and travel businesses; but this will come at a cost to the competitiveness of regional airports in the north of England, and to consumers elsewhere in the country who will be paying some of the highest flight taxes anywhere in the world,’ said Tanzer.

‘ABTA is calling for the UK government to ensure that rates of APD are consistent and competitive across the UK. A cut in one part of the UK is unacceptable and the most competitive rate should be matched for the benefit of the whole of UK plc and all UK consumers.’

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Travel with confidence, says ABTA

ABTA'S Travel With Confidence advertising campaign which was launched at the end of December in Britain and will run through to early this month - February.

The campaign lets customers know about the benefits of booking with an ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) member and explains ABTA’s offer of support, protection, and expertise.

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Millions ready for winter dashes to the sun

MORE than 12 million people in Britain are set to take a winter holiday during the coming months according to research by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), with similar numbers still considering holiday plans.

As temperatures drop, winter sun is the most popular option with 43% of people planning a winter break heading to sunnier climes. While city breaks have overtaken beach holidays to be the most popular type of holiday throughout the year, they take the second spot for winter holidays. A further 18% are planning a winter sports holiday, with an increase in numbers since 2012 due in part to so-called ‘lapsed skiers’ planning a return to the slopes as the economy recovers.

For winter sun, popular destinations include the Canary Islands and North African countries including Tunisia and Morocco. Antigua, The Maldives, Mexico and Thailand are among the most popular long haul winter sun destinations.

Favourite European city destinations are 

• Berlin, 
• Frankfurt, 
• Paris, and 
• Vienna with 
• London, 
• Edinburgh and the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham all popular in the UK.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
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Picture Credit: From Top: "Imagebysafa2" by Safa in la but uploaded by Mardetanha - http://www.safainla.us via Wikimedia Commons; "Playa de las canteras palmas gran canaria" by Fernando Carmona González (Madrid) via Wikimedia Commons

More travel sans insurance

ALMOST a quarter UK travellers go abroad uninsured, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). The trend is being driven by younger travellers with more than a third of 16-24-year olds and 36% of 25-34-year olds saying they did not take out insurance, citing the cost of premiums as the main reason.

ABTA argues this is a false economy with comprehensive annual policies available for as little as £60 and the potential for medical costs to run into thousands of pounds.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK